davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
Tho Story of an Old Army Radcn.

Mrs. E. o. G. Ord has among hcr most
prlzed mementoes plain metal badge,
two inches square, covered with red
enamel and bearing in the centre the
raised design OF a cartridge box with
Forty rounds. U. S." on the cover.
The San Diego Union explains that after
Sherman's army had returned from At
lanta after his celebrated march to the
sea, it was twitted OF lack Of individuality
on every hand in not atlording distlnc-
tive army badge. While the matter was
being talked over in Sherman's tent, two
privates outside were also discussing the
same matter, when one of them rose up
and slapping his hand on his cartridge
box, said in firm voice: "Here is my
badge-forty rounds |"
This so pleased General Sherman, who
heard the patriotic statement, that he
ordered badges bearing the cartridge box
and the words forty rounds" struck off
for the men in his army. Every one,
from the officers down, wore the badge,
generally on the hat or cap. Within .
few days after the march to the sea,
while General Sherman was entertaining
party at his headquarters with his in
exhaustible supply OF stories and ollity,
an incident occurred that illustrates the
gallantry of that great soldier. After the
evening had been spent Sherman said to
General woods In mis- usual brusque
way: "Hand me your hat Woods"
= General Woods did as command-
ed, whereupon General Sherman snatch
ed the badge from the hat and alter
removing it proceeded to scratch some-
thing on the reverse side OF the badge
with his pocket knife. This done he
pinned it on Mrs. Ord's dress and she
has treasured it ever since. AS seen to-
day the lettering scratched ON the badge
by Gen. Sherman is plainly legible, with
the exception of the last line. 1t reads
"Gen. G.. X. Woods, May IL, 1866. Pre-
sented by Gen. Sherman. lst D." Here
the inscription becomes illegiDle. When
ever Mrs. Ord meets Sherman she wears
Gen. Woods old army badge and the
jolly old General invariably accosts her
wite the same salutation. "Hello where
did you get that ?" "Get what ?" answers
the little lady. "That army badge"
Guess you should know; you gave II to
me" is the response. At this Gen. Sher-
man always looks quizAically at the
badge, thinks awhile, then finally replies
in his old, odd way: "Well, well, l guess
you're right; but would have forgotten
all about it ii l hadn't remembered it,"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
Cashing Checks at Hotels.

If I were the proprietor of a hotel
would casn checks to every man knew
and considered responsible. The hotel
would lose no more money under that
method than it does by the present rule,
which makes the cashier responsible for
any losses. Rascals are continually get
ting in on us as they do on the banks, for
the hotels do regular banking business
with their guests and are forced to ac-
commodate a good many other people,
Just as the banks are. We lose Sl,200 to
81, 800 year in worthless checks. Some
OF the fellows who beat MS are very
shrewd about it. For instance, there was
a young fellow about here awhile ago
who was supposed to have business rela-
tions with Warner Miller. He got quite
init nate with one OF the proprietors OF
the hotel, and used to sit down in the
office with him and talk. After one of
tn 'se talks one day he came over to the
cashiers desk and said; "By the way, l
wish you could cash check for me-"
There was no prettier confidence game in
the world. His check was cashed and
came back marked "No funds" well
known lawyer, who is down on his luck,
got into the hotel in much the same
manner. Take it all in all, the hotel can
shord to lose some money in this way,
because its refusal to accommodate people
will drive away a great deal OF people.
The business OF the country is so largely
transacted by check that We have to take
our chances.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
Very Eiaborats Protestant Csrem onios.

The laying of the corner stone of the
new NILSSON school house OF the Holy
Cross Mission, at Avenue G and Fourth
street, was an event OF interest to east
siders. 1t was also the most interesting
incident Of the weeks series OF festival
celebrations commemorating the ami
versary OF the founding of the successful
mission. Avenue g was blocked with
spectators at 81 O'Clock when the process
sion OF acolytes and Episcopal priests
issued from the vestry doors OF the mis-
sion church and wound around the
foundation walls of the new school eli
fee to the spot where the corner stone
hung from rope. A cross bearer hold
ing aloft bronze crucifix led the pro,
cession. Behind walked acolytes AMI
choristers in robes of black AMI white
The Rev. DR.. Houghton OF the Little
Church Around the Corner, with his
white locks crowned with black beretta
an his body enyeloped in q long robe OF
gold silk, heavy with gold embro ,ery,
followed " tn Two acolytes bearing tho
train OF tao robe. Then came Faith 'r
James O. ;. Huntington, the l.ps op /
monk, OF the nited Labor party, and
hna OF the mission, and his assistm s
Fat crs iall Field and Allea. BHhin
the : mar ned in couples, singing nl
b 1g EN- 'roil red banners the li,t,e
CHI = oi the mission, several hundred
IL hunper, Last OF all came the bla <
ron d Protestant sisters OF st. John thS
baptist. --NeW York Sun,
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
What New York Loses by the Saturday
Half.Hoiiday.


1.-THE Saturday half holiday has begun
TO make an impression upon the banking
business Of this city that is portentous Of
evil. New York is conceded by every
body to be the financial centre Of the
country, and hitherto the time has been
none too long for the accomplishment of
our work. Now we are handicapped by
the sudden taking away OF 20 whole
working days out OF the year. Adding to
these the eight whole holidays previously
existing and the business OF New York,
the foremost business city in the Union,
is deprived Of "a actual working days,
whereas most OF the other cities OF the
Union have but six holidays. In other
words, the immense business Of the city
OF New York, with its ramiiications into
every city, town, and hamlet in the
Union, must be transacted in 279 work
ing days per annum, against 307 days de-
voted to work by every other city. The
consequence is that the expense OF doing
our business is largely increased. Friday
becomes substantially the last day of the
week, for little or nothing can be done on
Saturday, and Monday begins with an
accumulation Of work and correspondence
almost overwhelming.
"But our most serious troubles growing
out of the Saturday half-ho-day are the
losses OF accounts. Our California AMI
Western accounts require the exchange
of hundre Is of millions OF dollars an.
nually, and several of these have been
driven to Chicago and other cities by our
inability to do business with them on
Saturday. 1t Is folly to suppose that the
channels Of business of the whole country
are going to cease their flow because New
banks, and in their train all the 9th r
business institution OF the city, and 90
where tn y can be accommodated ut all
reasonable times."-I Prominent Banker
IN Nep York Times.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
How Fashions Originate.

Says "Entre Nous in the Boston Sunday
Herald: Somebody at Newport put her
elbow through the sleeve OF her la @
gown by some mischance, and to hide
the fracture tied bright ribbon over it.
Instantly the bright-colored bows caught
on to other elbows, and what was origin
ally inten led as a cute little remedy has
become new fashion saw slender
Hdrper's Bd.dr girl looking as though she
had just stepped out of that femin ne
publication the other day a Young's and
tied about her right elbow in very
Frenchy how was bit OF nasturtium red
ribhon 50 | presume the caprice has at
tackled Boston. Girls have gone about
all summer with ribbons tied pussy.cat
style around their necks, and now why
should they not vary the place, while
keeping the coquettish ribbons?"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16

The performances OF the Queens Yacht
on Wednesday last in running into the
Orontes is equally discouragng to tine
British taxpayer and the British sighlseer.
That after the thousands OF pounds which
are yearly spent on the Victoria AMI
Albert she should proceed backward
when intended to go forward, and thus
knock hundreds OF pounds worth OF
gliding and ornament OF her stern, is
bad enough from the taxpayers point o.
view; but that she should indulge in
these vagaries when presumably being
extra carefully handled because Of the
presence OF the Crown Princess OF Ger
many on board, is absolutely terrifying
TO the intending spectator or the naval
review. The regulations for navigating
the royal yacht are highly idiotic. 1t
will scarcely be credited that in conpli.
ance with the most foolish and absurd
royal order, these vessels are always taken
alongside the landing place at full speed,
the engine room telegra III being altered
from full speed to full speed astern only
when the jetty is being appr ,ached. 1t
is wonderful that any officers can be
found to undertake the charge OF the
engines under such preposterous condi-
tions as the delay OF a second would
cause bad accident All vessels have
their engines stopped before altering the
speed in this way, and the royal yachts
ought to follow the usual rational pract-
ice.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
Wait wh,tman's Condition and Intentions.


Walt Whitman writes thus to the editor
OF the Pal Mall Gasciie: "Eirst thank
you again for the handsome money
present of some months ago, which did
me more goo than you perhaps think
for-it has helped me in meals, clothing,
debts &c, ever since. My best help,
no ever, has come in my old age and
paralysis from b: Islands. The piece
fro n a dist inguished American man of
letters" aoout me was a very large in6a-
ton into fiction OF very little amount
OF iact-in spirit it ia altogether, and in
letter mainly untrue about my affairs,
&c. My income from my books (royali-
ties, &c,,) does not reach $40 year. l
am now in my Goth year-living plainly
but very comfortably, in little wooden
cottage of my own, good spirits invariab.
ly, but physically a sad wreck, failing
more and more each successive season.
unable even to get about the house with
out help---most of the time, though, with
out serious pain or suffering, except
weakness which have good deal--the
paralysis that prostrated me after the
Secession war (several shocks) never
lifting entirely since-but leaving men
tality uninpaired absolutely (thank
Cody l have few, very few, staunch
and loving friends and upholders here in
America. am gathering lot Of pieces
verse and prose-uttered within the
last six years and shall send them out
under the name OF November Boughs"
before long-a little book, 200 pages or
less, some new pieces-a sort OF continue.
ton or supplement Then | think Of
printing a revised edition OF complete
DAYS and Collect" and November
Boughs" all in one volume, soon. Please
accept personal thanks from me never
mind the literary, and | know you will
accept this impromptu note in the same
spirit in which it is written Best thanks
and love to all my British helpers, readers
and defenders"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16

Some DAYS ago was published the ro-
mantle story of the attache OF the Chinese
legation who cut of his cue and dressed
himself in American clothes to win the
love OF fair American girl. II was also
related that the young girl had only tlirted
with her Celestial lover, and when she
learned that he was in earnest fled to her
mother for protect on. The young girl
left town, and the Chinese nobleman was
locked up in Stewart castle, which is
now occupied by the Chinese legation.
1t seems that this young diplomatic, in
stead OF learning to forget his love, be-
came morose, lost his appetite, and
grieved until he became heartsick.
Finally he attempted suicide, but was
prevented from rashly ending his exist
ence. Yesterday however, he made
another attempt and this was more
serious than the first. Early in the
morning he arrayed himself in loosely
fitting l,ght blue silk garment then he
took from one OF his bureau drawers a
hara-kiri sword, only used by Chinese
officers when they fail to win battle.
Procuring a rope, he tied one end to a
window hinge, and then make a loopknot
of the other end, and mounted to the
window sill. The Pedestrians about
Dupont circle noticed him, and were
horror-strieken to see him jump from the
window. The alarm was given, and the
Chinese inside the house rushed TO the
fourth story, broke down the door, and
proceeded to haul up the would-be sui.
eide. The young noblemau was nearly
dead, but was resuscitated. In jumping
from the window the young man dropped
photograph, which proved 10 be one Of
young lady TO whom he had paid at
tentions, and who had rejected him. The
young Ihinaman' 5 first attempt at suicide
was by trying to drown in bath-tub asl
Monday. The members OF the legation
are very retieent about the affair to-day
1t is said the loye-siek young man haC
cut himself once with the hara-kir
J sword before jumping.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16

IT suppose" said the reporter, "that
you meet with some queer incidents in
the course of your business
"Yes, | remember customer coming
10 me not long ago for his second artificial
OF years. He said that he was in much
trouble of mind. He was going to get
married, and had been courting his in
tended for year and a half, and she did
not know but that he was entirely sound.
The question in his mind was W 'ether TO
tell ner before, or wait until after mar
riage. i advised him to inform her be-
forehand, as otherwise she might have
legal ground to apply for an annulment
OF the marriage on the ground of decep-
ton. He told me afterward that he fol-
lowed my advice, and the lady concluded
that she loved him none the less on ac-
count OF his misfortune. Another singu-
lar incident, but of different character,
was in connection with the collision of
two steamers one of which had just
started from this port for Europe, and
had to put back again on account OF the
damage. None OF the passengers were
injured by the accident, and friend
jokingly remarked in my presence that
would, no doubt be greatly disappointed
lildt lilcIc WIS liO lOSS III iltlD, 40 NOuld
therefore get no revenue from the occur
renee. Strangely enough the day follow
ing a man from Ohio walked into my
office and said that he wanted an artificial
leg. He related that he had been pas
senger on the steamer which had to put
back on account Of the collision, having
started from his home in Ohio to pay
visit to Europe. When the vessel re-
turned to port he concluded, on refec-
ton, to give up his European trip and to
expend the money he had received for
the trip in providing himself with new
artificial leg in place OF the one which he
then wore. So it seems that the collision
of those two steamers brought business
after all"
"Who supply limbs for the soldiers ?"
"The business is distributed among
different manufacturers, nearly, il not al |,
in the large cities on the Atlantic coast.
No Union soldier who lost limb in the
war need be without an artificial one.
Northern manufacturers also supply q
good many artificial limbs to confederate
veterans, on the order OF states OF the
South that have made provision for the
MANNED OF the lost cause but great
many OF the Southern veterans are un-
provided, for the reason that the appro-
priations for their relief are not sufficiently
frequent and adequate. IN T. Sun.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16

One OF the most exquisite wonders OF
the sea is called the opelet about the size
of the German aster, and looking indeed
very much like one. Imagine a vry
large double aster, with great many
long petals OF light green color glossy
as sotin, and each tipped with the color OF
a blush rose. These lovely petals do not
lie in their places quietly, however, but
wave about in the water, while the white
opelet clings to rock. You have no
idea how pretty and Innocent it looks on
its immovable bed. Would you suspect
that it would feast upon anything grosser
than dew and sunbeams? Let us watch
this satanic plant-for it is devil OF
flower-and see what it will do with
those pretty, graceful arms You will see
in a moment-for here comes a foolish
little fish-do you see that little fish
wriggling and sinking ?-ah, it has dis
appeare1l Yes, it was struck dead by
the poison in those pretty arms, which
was as fatal as the rattlesnakes bite, and
in an instant tremendous mouth opened
and the victim was swallowed whole by
the innocent looking opelet-a scaly
thing for flower to do, surely.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
Not Honored at Homo.

As water seeks its level, 80 does the
village instinctively tend to maintain
certain moral and Intellectual uniformity.
The man of exceptional ability is sooner
or later expelled by the body polite.
He is mistrusted, disliked and finally os-
tracized. Nor is he slow himself to take
the hint to depart. He perceives that
there is nothing for him to do at home.
He forges restlessly about for ahwile, try
ing this and that and effecting only mis-
chief; everybody surmises an evil des-
tiny for him he puts on his hat and
departs, in despair or anger, and present
ly the world recognizes and celebrates
his genius. But his native village never
swells the chorus Of praise. They have
known him from baby; he cannot
humbug them Did he not steal apples
from Farmer Hoyt's orchard ? Was he
not the slowest hand at spelling match
in schoolH Did he not jlt Mary Jane
after everybody had agreed that he
would marry her? Go to, then Can
such fellow as that invent navigable
air ship or write classic book, or create
a successful railroad ? He is only Jack
Smith after all is said and done, and,
among those who know him, will always
have Jack Smith reputation.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16

The Temperance people OF Missouri
City, Mo-, bought up all the liquor in the
town and vicinity, and had grand
mass-meeting and bonfire on a recent
evening.
There is reported to be growing
feeling among officers of the English
Naval Medical Service that their interests
are not studied as they should be, and
that they are at distinct disadvantage
as compared with their brethern in the
Army.
THE largest freight bill ever paid by
one shipper is said to have been that on
thirty-one ear loads of granite shipped
from New England to the Pacific Coast,
the cost OF which was ten thousand dol
lars 1t was to be used in the construct
ion OF a mechanical school in San Fran
cisco, an endowment by tine public bene-
ia tor DR.. III. ID. Cogswell, OF drinking
fountain fame in the West.
THE want OF accuracy in shooting, ow-
ing to the imperfect construction of the
cannon in early times is well illustrated
by the fact that IN 1872 at the battle OF
Salamanca 3,501,0DD cartridges AMI 6,000
cannon balls were fired, with the result
OF only 5000 men being put hors de
combat. And as late as 1857, during the
Kalir war, 5000 cartridges were fired in
q single engagement in which only TWEEN
ty-tive OF the enemy We're killed.
A New TORE firm Of wine merchants
have in their poss 'ssion two casks made
OF what is thought to be the oldest AMI
best preserved wool in existence. This
WOO was, formerly part OF the founda-
ton OF bridge, over the Rhine at MIMI,
in the time of Troianus, ninety-nine
years after Christ. In later years fire
destroyed the bridge and it was not until
1881, while excavations for a stone bridge
were being made, that portions Of the
ancient timbers were brought to light.
/ The casks in question are artistically
carved and ornamented.
In the manufacture of swords and bay
| onets for use in the German army, severe
| tests are employed to insure reliable
| weapons. With respect to swords and
sabres the testing process is the follow
| ing: The blades are brought in un-
mounted, examined for length and thick
ness, then bent according to certain fixed
| rules; two heavy right and left cuts are
| then struck at a wooden block with the
edge and two blows with the flat of each
blade, Having passed these tests, the
blades are stamped and laid aside to be
mounted and finished. When mounted
they are again tested for solditv OF con.
nection between blade and hilt. The
tr ting OF bayonets is equally severe and
eX nau-tive. No inferior material or de-
ie'tive workmanship escapes the cogniz-
ancr OF the inspecting officers, who are
specially chosen by the ministry OF wa
ior their knowle ge OF all the physica
and technical details connected with tn,
material and fabrication Of steel weap
ons.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16
Tho Pathetic Death of a practical Poll.
tician."

There is something almost pathetic in
the death of Captain "Mike" Cregan,
whose life was abbing away while the
first republican convention hell for
many years in which he had not taken
an important part was gathering at Sara
toga. " no can tell how much disap-
pOintment had TO do with the sapping Of
his energies The breath OF his nostriis
and the ouject OF all his thoughts and
ambitions ior years had been the strife OF
politics, and perhaps it was merclmi
dispeisation that the old war horse, shut
out from the battle, should not survive to
witness the conflicts in which he could
no longer take part. Cregan was brave
soldier during the war, and il his political
career since that time has not been as
cretlitable to him, the blame must be
laid, in part at least, to the system which
made him what he was. Men who were
older and wiser whom he hal learned to
look up TO and respect, were the ones
who taught him the work OF the machine
and they have not hesitated to profit by
labor, done by him, that they would have
shrunk from performing themselves. OF
course, he was thrown over when he be-
came an incumbrance, but ii the same
test were applied TO some scores OF o hers
in the sa ne positions, in either OF the
gr at parties, he would not have been
alone in his exile.-N. Y. Com. Adv.
Tho Few Iron Curtain OF the Theatre
Francais.
The new iron curtain Of the Theatre
Francois is a gigantic affair. 1t neither
rolls up nor folds together, but ascends in
solid sheet into the upper regions,
which have had TO be heightened to
make room for it. The ascent occupies
minute and quarter. 1t appears, too,
that the new drop-scene, with it's colon
made and busts, is not an ordinary rolling
canvass, but is glued to the iron curtain.
This gluing was a work OF no small diff:
Guilty, being probably the 'largest order"
ever attempted in the way OF a6iehdge.
The other structural alterations at the
Theatre Francois have involved sacri-
flee OF seating space to the value OF more
than S75 a night. As the theatre is open
every night in the year, and generally
filled TO overaowing, the annual loss in.
volved in these changes may be reckoned
at something like S25,O00, A handsome
peace-oaerng this TO the Theatrical
Nemesis-may 1t be accepted Pal Mall
| Gazette. 49,.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-16

Among the numerous collectors of GU
riosities of every kind who abound in
Paris there is one wealthy virtuose who
amuses himself by collecting deaths
heads and skeletons Enthusiastically carved
or modelled in marble, earthenware,
wood or precious stones. These he has
gathered together in kind OF museum
OF death, which at first sight seems
hideous and "macabre," but, on closer
inspection, proves highly interesting
Some OF the heads have been detached
from those old medieval rosary beads,
which were usually ornamental on ona
side with the profile of a king or saint
and on the other with the griuning face
OF a skeleton. One OF the most hideous,
yet at the same time most artisticaily ex-
ecuted, OF the figures is that ol skeleton
engaged in taking from off his bones the
"conqueror worms" which have been
claiming him as their own. The collec-
tor has given lugubrious reality to the
objects in his museum by placing here
and there among them the skulls OF dead
women.